For a richer flavor, use a combination of sweet and hot Italian sausage. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will melt more evenly and provide a superior flavor compared to pre-grated cheese. To prevent sticking, lightly grease the baking dish before adding the pasta mixture. Allow the baked rigatoni to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will help the sauce to thicken slightly and prevent it from being too runny.
Baked Rigatoni
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PREP TIME20 mins
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COOK TIME1 hrs
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TOTAL TIME1 hrs 20 mins
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SERVING12 People
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VIEWS13
Indulge in this heartwarming baked rigatoni, where al dente pasta meets a rich, savory meat sauce, blanketed in a generous layer of melted mozzarella and Parmesan. A comforting classic, elevated.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
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Carbohydrate54 g
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Cholesterol63 mg
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Fiber3 g
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Protein32 g
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Saturated Fat11 g
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Sodium1326 mg
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Sugar3 g
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Fat26 g
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Unsaturated Fat0 g
Follow The Directions
01
StepIn a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
02
StepAdd the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until browned and no longer pink, approximately 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
03
StepStir in the crushed tomatoes, water, basil, oregano, and parsley. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and cook for 25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
04
StepWhile the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package directions, until al dente, around 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta well, rinse briefly under cool water to stop the cooking process, and set aside in a large bowl.
05
StepPreheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
06
StepUncover the meat sauce and increase heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat.
07
StepPour approximately two-thirds of the meat sauce over the cooked rigatoni. Add the shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese to the pasta. Toss gently to combine, ensuring the pasta is well coated.
08
StepTransfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour the remaining meat sauce evenly over the top. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
09
StepBake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil, sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
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Breanne Pacocha
Jun 27, 2025This is my new go-to recipe for baked rigatoni.
Hipolito Dubuque
Jun 20, 2025A great comfort food recipe!
Felicity Welchkozey
Jun 17, 2025I added some mushrooms to the sauce, and it was even better!
Caterina Lakin
Jun 14, 2025I made this for a potluck, and everyone loved it!
Felix Morar
Jun 10, 2025The sauce is so flavorful, and the pasta was perfectly cooked.
Wilhelmine Gutkowski
Jun 7, 2025This recipe is amazing! My family devoured it!
Erna Sauer
May 17, 2025Easy to follow and delicious!